2018 NATS Student Auditions: Chicago Chapter

Each year the Chicago Chapter of NATS hosts student auditions to provide
opportunities for singers to perform and receive written feedback about their
performance. Cash prizes are given to the top singers.

New This Year

Registration this year is through NATS.ORG site.
High School Categories only require 2 selections this year.
Expanded definitions for song selections (especially Musical Theater).

Contents: WANTED
Audition Dates.............................p.2
Fees.............................................p.2 Your amazing
Schedule......................................p 3
Instructions.................................pp. 3-5 students!!!!
Copyright Laws............................p. 6
H.S. Classical Categories..............p. 7
College Classical Categories........pp. 7-8
H.S. and College Musical Theater
Categories...................................p.9-10
Audition Terminology/Regulations...p.11-15
NSA Classical Rubric............p.16
NSA Music Theater Rubric....................p. 17
Adjudication Sheet.......................p. 18

Questions? Contact us at studentauditions@chicagonats.org.

ALL REGISTRATIONS TO BE COMPLETED BY CCNATS TEACHER via
www.nats.org

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 Auditions Dates & Deadlines
February 2018 Auditions
(Classical – College & High School)
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Northeastern Illinois University
5500 St Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
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Registration deadline: January 28, 2018
Repertoire change deadline: February 3, 2018
March 2018 Auditions
(Musical Theater – College &
High School)
Saturday, March 17, 2017
Willam Rainey Harper College
1200 W Algonquin Road
Palatine, IL 60067
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Registration deadline: February 25, 2018
Repertoire change deadline: March 3, 2018
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Audition Fees
CCNATS TEACHER
(nonrefundable)
Audition Class Categories
February 17, 2018
College Classical
High School Classical
March 17, 2018
College Musical Theater
High School Musical Theater
$45 First audition category
$20 Second audition category
Participating Teachers are needed and
expected to share your expertise through
adjudicating.
(New this year: CCNATS will only provide
light snacks throughout the day – no lunch.)
$150 Nonjudging fee
This fee is only for CCNATS teachers
entering students who are unable to judge at
least one of this year’s auditions.
STUDENT
(refundable until 2 weeks before audition)
$38 Per entry
Includes accompanist for all rounds
Payments are accepted online (credit card)
through the NATS.org site
 GENERAL AUDITION DAY SCHEDULE
8:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Student Registration & Rehearsals with Accompanist
9:30 a.m. 10:45 a.m. Teacher/Adjudicator Workshop/Networking
11:00 a.m. Round 1 begins in all rooms
1:15 p.m. Workshop for teachers & students (Topics TBA)
2:15 p.m. Round 2 begins
3:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony and Performance of Top Winners

Instructions and Important Information:

Registration
1. Before registering, your membership needs to be in good standing with both your National and
Chapter dues paid.
2. Review the student audition categories below and identify the correct category for your student.
Depending on total numbers of registrants, categories may be combined or separated.
3. Ensure the accuracy of your student’s age (determined as of the day of the audition) and length of
study (or year in school).
• Students under the age of 18 are required to submit a parent/legal guardian email address to
complete their registration.
• If a student is found to be in the wrong division, he/she may be ineligible for the auditions.
4. Make note of all repertoire requirements for the student division.
5. Register your students at www.nats.org.
6. All fees are due at the time of registration & by the deadline listed.
7. Approximately 2 weeks prior to the audition you will receive a confirmation email with your
students’ time, location and collaborative pianist information.
• Each teacher will follow up with his/her student about their assigned times and collaborative
pianist information.
• Students will not have a choice of collaborative pianists, audition times or audition rooms.
8. Although our collaborative pianists are familiar with standard vocal repertoire, please email them
pdf copies so they can check repertoire/confirm keys.

9. Scheduling a rehearsal is optional and is the responsibility of the student and collaborative pianist.
• Students should expect to hear from their pianist soon after registration closes.
• The fee for a ten-minute rehearsal is $10.00 and will be paid directly to the collaborative pianist.
(Please do not include this money in the audition application.)
• Rehearsals occur the morning of the Student Auditions in the Round 1 room.
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 Audition Day
1. Student Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
2. Students must bring a valid photo ID or school ID & birth certificate as proof of age.
• ID is not required to be sent in before the day of the competition.
• If students do not provide a proper ID at registration, they will sing for COMMENTS ONLY.
3. Students must use original copies of music.
• Please present originals at registration.
• No student may perform using photocopies.
• VERY IMPORTANT: If digital music is used, please note that the performer must show proof of
purchasing the music. The performers name must appear at the bottom of the music.
4. Teachers are expected to attend our 9:30 a.m. meeting to network, receive ideas & instructions
for adjudicating and receive judging assignments.

For those that may be new to judging for NATS auditions or need a refresher
on the newer judging procedures, please click below to watch:
Adjudication Video

Audition Room
1. Student Auditions start promptly at 11:00 a.m. Each student must be at his/her audition location
15 minutes before his/her scheduled time.
2. 3 teachers will serve as adjudicators for each room. Adjudicators are NATS members or other
singing professionals.
3. Adjudicators will use the NATS Rubric and Adjudication sheets in their evaluation. A copy is
included at the end of this packet.
4. The time limit for each round is 6 minutes (longer for advanced categories), which begins when the
singer enters the room.
• In Round 1, singers will have 6 minutes to perform as much of the required repertoire as
possible. The singer chooses the first piece and performs it from start to finish. Adjudicators
make subsequent selections.
• In Round 2 singers will sing only one song of their choice.
• Depending on the number of students participating and the constraints of the competition
location, the time limit of either round may need to be decreased.

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 5. Collaborative Pianists are to play from the original music. No copies are allowed.
6. While parents and friends are encouraged to listen to the auditions, there is no guarantee that it will
always be possible due to space constraints.
7. Judges will tally results and post the names of those who move on to Round 2 on the door
following Round 1.
• Singers move on to Round 2 by receiving at least 2 scores of 90 or above.

Round 2 & Awards Ceremony

1. Round 2 beings approximately 60-75 minutes after the end of Round 1.
2. In Round 2 adjudicators rank singers from 1 (highest) to 6 (lowest). Results are tabulated and
returned to the Auditions Office. Lowest scores are awarded prizes/recognition in the Awards
Ceremony.
3. All participants are invited to attend the awards ceremony and winners’ concert which features
select winners from each category – usually, only the first place winner will perform.
4. Awards are given typically to the first, second and third place performers from the second round.
Fewer or more awards (honorable mentions) may be given. If no singers advance to Round 2 from
a given category, then no awards would be given.
5. Prize money is awarded from registration fees. If you would like to add to the overall Awards Fund
amount with a tax-deductible donation, you can do so when you pay your registration fees.
6. All winners will be expected to fill out and sign a release form allowing Chicago Chapter NATS to
post video and photos on YouTube and Facebook. Winners under the age of 18 must have a
parent or guardian signature. Release forms will be available at the time of check-in or can be
found on our website: http://www.chicagonats.org/uploads/1/5/4/2/15429230/release_form.pdf.
7. Teachers must pick up adjudication sheets immediately following the final performance.
• Unclaimed adjudication sheets will be mailed within two weeks of the auditions.
Other
1. Teachers who are willing to serve as adjudicators, but do not enter students, are very welcome.
There is no fee for serving our chapter this way.
2. Teachers of students who do not fit the age/years of study or gender identity constraints should be
in contact with NSA coordinator (National Student Auditions) for proper placement at nats.org.

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 NATS Policy on Copyright Laws
Click on this link to review the policy:
http://www.nats.org/_Library/docs copyright_policy_revision1-2012.pdf

The National Association of Teachers of Singing endorses a strict policy regarding copyright laws.
The use of photocopied music is prohibited at all NATS sponsored events.

Exceptions are:

1. Music that is out of print, still under copyright law, with permission from a publisher.

2. Sheet music or books for which the copyright has expired, but available in CD
format. (e.g., CD Sheet Music). Performers must be prepared to present proof of
ownership upon request.

3. Sheet music purchased legally from an online vendor.

(Music should have either a separate page proving the performer’s purchase OR
a copyright notice at the bottom of the music that includes the performer’s name.)

4. Music available from approved public domain websites. Performers should take
particular care when accessing these sites as some do not guarantee that all works are
indeed in the public domain. Current approved online public domain sites are:
www.imslp.org
www.sheetmusicarchive.net
www.jscholarship.library.jhu.edu/handle/1774.2/2085

Regarding Digital Downloads and Transpositions:

Please note that as of 2015, “All arias from opera, oratorio, mass,
cantata, operetta, works titled “concert aria,” or music theater selections
must be sung in the original key or an alternate key based on common
performance practice.” (NATS National Guidelines) Our collaborative
pianists are highly skilled and knowledgeable about printed vocal repertoire
and standard, published keys. If you have any doubt about clarity, send a
copy of the music you intend to use to your collaborative pianist via email prior
to the audition.

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 Audition Categories: In some cases categories may be sub-divided or combined depending
on student registration. Indicates Categories for Men

Classical Categories (National Categories with CCNATS Chapter subdivisions)

High School Classical
National Category Length Age Limit Time Repertoire: all repertoire is sung from memory
of
Study

IIIA Women Lower High No 14-16 6 Two contrasting selections from classical
School (Freshman limit 9th and 10th minutes repertoire. One art song in English. One art
and Sophomore) grade song or aria in a foreign language.
*may be subdivided
depending on
numbers

IIIB Women Upper High No 16-19 6 Two contrasting selections from classical
School (Junior and limit 11th-12th minutes repertoire. One art song in English. One art
Senior) grade song or aria in a foreign language.
*may be subdivided
depending on
numbers

IVA Men Lower High No 14-16 6 Two contrasting selections from classical
School (Freshman limit 9th and 10th minutes repertoire. One art song in English. One art
and Sophomore) grade song or aria in a foreign language.

IVB Men Upper High No 16-19 6 Two contrasting selections from classical
School (Junior & limit 11-12th minutes repertoire. One art song in English. One art
Senior) grade song or aria in a foreign language.

Classical College and Advanced Categories

Category Length of Age Time Repertoire: all repertoire is sung from memory
Study Limit

VIIA Women 1 year post 20 8 Three contrasting selections from classical repertoire.
First Year high school minutes One art song in English. One art song in a foreign
College/Indepen language. One aria or art song.
dent Studio

VIIB Women 2 years post 22 8 Three contrasting selections from classical repertoire.
Second Year high school minutes One art song in English. One art song in a foreign
College/Indepen language. One aria or art song.
dent Studio

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 Category Length of Age Time Repertoire: all repertoire is sung from memory
Study Limit

XIA Women 3 years post 23 8 Four contrasting selections from classical repertoire.
Third Year high school minutes One art song in English. One foreign language art
College/Indepen song. One aria. One additional selection. At least
dent Studio three languages must be represented.

XIB Women 3-5 years 25 8 Four contrasting selections from classical repertoire.
Fourth/Fifth Year post high minutes One art song in English. One foreign language art
College/Indepen school-all song. One aria. One additional selection. At least
dent Studio W as three languages must be represented.
undergradu
ate

VIII Men Lower 0-2 years 22 8 Three contrasting selections from classical repertoire.
College/Indepen post high minutes One art song in English. One art song in a foreign
dent Studio school language. One aria or art song.

XII Men Upper 3-5 years 25 8 Four contrasting selections from classical repertoire.
College/Indepen post high minutes One art song in English. One foreign language art
dent Studio school-all song. One aria. One additional selection. At least
as three languages must be represented.
undergradu
ate

XIIIA Women 5-7 years 22-26 10 Five contrasting selections from classical repertoire.
Lower Advanced past high minutes One art song in English. One foreign language art
College/Indepen school song. One operatic aria. One oratorio/cantata aria.
dent Studio One additional selection from the classical repertoire.
At least three languages must be represented.

XIIIB Women 7+ post 25-30 10 Five contrasting selections from classical repertoire.
Upper Advanced high school minutes One art song in English. One foreign language art
College/Indepen song. One operatic aria. One oratorio/cantata aria.
dent Studio One additional selection from the classical repertoire.
At least three languages must be represented.

XIVA Men 5-7 years 22-26 10 Five contrasting selections from classical repertoire.
Lower Advanced past high minutes One art song in English. One foreign language art
College/Indepen school song. One operatic aria. One oratorio/cantata aria.
dent Studio One additional selection from the classical repertoire.
At least three languages must be represented.

XIVB Men 7+ post 25-30 10 Five contrasting selections from classical repertoire.
Upper Advanced high school minutes One art song in English. One foreign language art
College/Indepen song. One operatic aria. One oratorio/cantata aria.
dent Studio One additional selection from the classical repertoire.
At least three languages must be represented.

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 Musical Theater Categories (National Categories with CCNATS Chapter subdivisions)

Category Length of Age Time Repertoire: all repertoire is sung from memory
Study Limit

IA Women No limit 14-16 6 Two Contrasting Music Theater Selections from

Freshman and 9th and minutes scores of book shows written or intended for fully
Sophomore 10th realized musical productions. (a musical, revue,
High School grade song cycle or operetta) Only selection may be an
operetta aria.

IIB-1 Women High No limit 16-17 6 Two Contrasting Music Theater Selections from
School Junior 11th minutes scores of book shows written or intended for fully
grade realized musical productions. (a musical, revue,
song cycle or operetta) Only selection may be an
operetta aria.

IIB-2 Women High No limit 17-19 6 Two Contrasting Music Theater Selections from
School Senior 12th minutes scores of book shows written or intended for fully
grade realized musical productions. (a musical, revue,
song cycle or operetta) Only selection may be an
operetta aria.

IIA Men Lower No limit 14-16 6 Two Contrasting Music Theater Selections from
High School 9th and minutes scores of book shows written or intended for fully
Freshman and 10th realized musical productions. (a musical, revue,
Sophomore grade song cycle or operetta) Only selection may be an
operetta aria.

IIB Men Upper No limit 16-19 6 Two Contrasting Music Theater Selections from
High School 11th minutes scores of book shows written or intended for fully
Junior and and realized musical productions. (a musical, revue,
Senior 12th song cycle or operetta) Only selection may be an
grade operetta aria.

V Women 0-2 post high 22 8 Three Contrasting Music Theater Selections from
Lower College school minutes scores of book shows written or intended for fully
realized musical productions. (a musical, revue,
song cycle or operetta) Only selection may be an
operetta aria.

IX-1 Women 3 years past 23 8 Four Contrasting Music Theater Selections from
Third Year high school minutes scores of book shows written or intended for fully
College realized musical productions. (a musical, revue,
song cycle or operetta) Only selection may be an
operetta aria.

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 Category Length of Age Time Repertoire: all repertoire is sung from memory
Study Limit

IX-2 Women 3-5 years past 25 8 Four Contrasting Music Theater Selections from
Fourth/Fifth high school- minutes scores of book shows written or intended for fully
Year College all as realized musical productions. (a musical, revue,
undergraduate song cycle or operetta) Only selection may be an
operetta aria.

VI Men 0-2 post high 22 8 Three Contrasting Music Theater Selections from
Lower College school minutes scores of book shows written or intended for fully
realized musical productions. (a musical, revue,
song cycle or operetta) Only selection may be an
operetta aria.

X Men 3-5 years past 25 8 Four Contrasting Music Theater Selections from
Upper College high school- minutes scores of book shows written or intended for fully
all as realized musical productions. (a musical, revue,
undergraduate song cycle or operetta) Only selection may be an
operetta aria.

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 Audition Terminology & Regulations (Changes in Guidelines, 2017) – Please note
highlighted sections for changes.

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